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Abstract:

A portable transitional identity device can be used with a conventional
cell phone or other mobile device using a cellular network to provide
access to one or more additional networks, optionally with encryption.

Claims:

1. A portable transitional identity device (PTID) that can be coupled to
a mobile device having a radio chipset that is configured to connect to a
first cellular service provider, wherein said PTID is configured to
provide connection to at least a second cellular service provider.

2. A portable transitional identity device (PTID) as in claim 1, wherein
said PTID is configured to provide an encrypted connection over the
second cellular connection.

3. A portable transitional identity device (PTID) as in claim 1, which is
a short range device.

4. A method for communication with a mobile device connectable to a first
cellular network, said method comprising a PTID as in claim 1, and
connection to a second cellular network using the PTID.

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein the connection between the mobile
device and the PTID is wireless.

6. A method as in claim 4, wherein the PTID selects between the first
cellular network and the second cellular network based on cost.

7. A method as in claim 4, wherein the PTID selects between the first
cellular network for personal use and the second cellular network for
business use.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/468,989, filed Mar. 29, 2011, the full
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention addresses the need to use multiple simultaneous
transmissions from any device having a wireless radio chip set with blue
tooth or WiFi capabilities. Further the invention enables encrypted
communication for non encrypted devices such as IPhone or other
conventional phones without changes to the hardware. Using the device
disclosed here allows conversion of any phone to a multi number phone
with simultaneous usage and encryption capabilities retaining the
familiar user interface, address book, applications etc. on the original
phone. The portable communication device presents a single, consistent
identity regardless of the network being use (for example will show user
name in addition to ad hock phone number generated by provisional or
temporary SIM card used)

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] To address these difficulties, the present invention provides a
Portable Transitional Identity Device (PTID), which can be used with most
mass market cell phones to improve useability, particularly when away
from home. The Portable Transitional Identity Device may be combined with
a current radio chipset, and will utilize the device radio capabilities,
to be able communicate with more than one cellular provider. For example,
a device which runs over the AT&T network can host a Verizon wireless
network user. The user can use a phone either to place calls by AT&T or
to place calls with VerizonWireless. Using two different devices today
means additional phones and chargers. By activating the "Portable
Transitional Identity Device," a user can use a single phone and charger
to connect to more than one network.

[0004] The "Portable Transitional Identity Device" will increase the phone
overall usage because it eliminates the need to use extra devices, with
extra chargers, and avoids incurring excessive fees. The user can either
dial with the local host number, or with a virtual phone number, leading
to great savings, an increase in user availability, a single phonebook,
shared application access, with the flexibility of picking a network
provider.

[0005] A principal advantage this solution is simplicity. It allows the
use of the existing devices as hosts, while the "Portable Transitional
Identity Device" will utilize the radio resources in parallel to the
"host" phone.

[0006] The "Portable Transitional Identity Device" is not necessarily
limited to a host phone. The "Portable Transitional Identity Device"
technology can be adjusted to run on any device with radio chip
technology, or wireless connectivity, like laptops and tablets. The PTID
can connect to a satellite chip set for worldwide connectivity. The
"virtual phone" provided by the PTID does not change the device basic
features. It allows any present mobile device with a radio chip to run on
any network that the PTID defines.

[0014] The "Portable Transitional Identity Device" can be used for
military applications. For example, a device which lacks encryption can
be used on a military network, because the PTID can add an encryption. In
this way, encryption can be added to mass market `off shelf` products.
Thus, the combination of a mass market device with the "Portable
Transitional Identity Device" can be a cost efficient solution for many
government agencies which need communication devices that offer high
encryption.

[0015] Since encryption today (based on VPN) consumes a great deal of
power and drains the battery faster, we will open the encryption from the
"Portable Transitional Identity Device" to either or both the originator
generic encryption server, our via encryption solution located
independently as shown in FIG. 1. The "Portable Transitional Identity
Device" will generate a table which will hold the numbers needed to go
via encryption.

[0016] Such encryption will work as follows: The "Portable Transitional
Identity Device" will initiate a pilot packet towards the encryption
server--with some basic info (phone #). The server will reject the
initial `pilot packet` but will send a key to the "Portable Transitional
Identity Device". The "Portable Transitional Identity Device" will use
the key and will send it back to the host device. The host device will
authorize a new request with the auth key will be send out to the server,
and it will be granted.

[0017] Since PTID will provide two radio chipsets (one is the phone it
self, the other is within the "Portable Transitional Identity Device"),
network selection can be based on pricing. When a user powers up the
phone, with the "Portable Transitional Identity Device" attached, there
will be an option to pick a less expansive network to work with.

[0018] Details of the system are illustrated in FIGS. 2-9.

[0019] Thus, while the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods
have been described in reference to the environment in which they were
developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the
inventions. Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without
departing from the spirit of the inventions and the scope of the appended
claims.

Patent applications by Eitan Konstantino, Orinda, CA US

Patent applications in class Operable on more than one system

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